Former Northview High student accused of threatening to bomb school

A 19-year-old Walnut Hill man has been arrested for allegedly making a false report about planting a bomb at Northview High School on Thursday.

Gavin Lee Barlow, a former student at the high school, has been charged with falsely reporting a bomb, which is a felony, and disturbing the peace, a misdemeanor.

An Escambia County Sheriff's Office deputy who was working as a school resource officer at the high school received a text message from the school's dean with a video that allegedly showed Barlow making an expletive-laced statement about setting off a bomb at the school at 3:20 p.m.

His statement allegedly targeted a "Mrs. Weaver." Gayle Weaver is the principal of the high school.

The dean told the deputy he was shown the video by a student who had received a referral and was being suspended for the rest of the school year, according to Barlow's arrest report.

That student texted Barlow about the disciplinary action and, in response, Barlow then allegedly sent the video via Snapchat.

The dean recorded the video on his own phone to show the deputy.

After Principal Weaver learned about the video, she decided to release students from class at 3:11 p.m. — nine minutes before the dismissal bell typically rings at 3:20 p.m.

Authorities arrested Barlow on Thursday at a home on South Pine Barren Road.

He was transported to Escambia County Jail and was booked at 7 p.m. His bond is set at $5,250, according to jail records. He remained in custody as of Friday afternoon.